Bats score 4 in top of ninth to defeat Clippers, 6-2

COLUMBUS, Ohio – After losing on a no-hit gem by Clippers hurler Tyler Cloyd on Wednesday, the Louisville Bats got their offense activated Thursday night at Huntington Park, scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie and claim a 6-2 victory.

After the Clippers took a 1-0 lead in the second, back-to-back home runs by Jason Bourgeois and Ruben Gotay gave the Bats a 2-1 lead. But another Columbus run in the fifth would deadlock scoring until the ninth.

A single by Bourgeois started the inning and he was pushed across the plate three batters later when Thomas Neal drew the bases-loaded walk. The Bats went up 4-2 when Rey Navarro — who was 1-for-4 on the night — singled to score Felix Perez. Tucker Barnhart made it 6-2 when he doubled to right field, to score Neftali Soto and Neal.

Bourgeois went 2-for-3 with an RBI and extended his team-leading hits total to 122.

Dylan Axelrod had a career-high night in strikeouts, pitching seven innings while allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and 10 Ks. Despite the quality start, Axelrod did not factor into the decision.

Louisville right-hander Pedro Villarreal earned the win, pitching two innings and allowing only a hit with two strikeouts.